No matter what we do for Thanksgiving or who we celebrate it with I will only get to do the prayer under supervision due to an incident like this 20 years ago.
Let’s face it 2011 has been tough. There is trouble in River City. Wars, famine, economic turmoil, massive unemployment, Europe and the Middle East in turmoil, social and political division, the epic collapse of the Braves and Red Sox and so many other calamitous events that it makes ones head spin like Linda Blair in the Exorcist.
Yet on the 4th Thursday of November we as a nation stop just for a moment to give thanks. I really don’t know of any other country that stops everything to give thanks before going absolutely bananas for holiday bargains the next day practically sacrificing their firstborn for the latest electronic gadget, game or entertainment system, but I digress.
We stop. Almost everything but the transportation system and football stadiums shuts down as we pause just for a moment to say thank you. Millions of people will take to the road to be with loved ones or to simply “get away” over the next few days, airports will be clogged and some travelers will go through hell in order to observe a day of thanksgiving.
Many of us will thank God for his blessings while others will simply pause to reflect on what they have and the people that bring meaning, love and joy to their lives. Others believers and unbelievers alike will find it difficult to give thanks because of their circumstances but will try to find something to be thankful for. For some that may simply be having a place to stay for a night out of the cold or a meal served up by volunteers at a shelter but if you have ever wondered where the next meal was coming from or how you would pay your rent it is much easier to understand. The staff of our hospital provided Thanksgiving food baskets and give cards to over well 100 families this year more than twice the number given last year. Times are hard and even people with jobs are not doing as well in many cases as they did in past years. Likewise our area took a lot of damage during Hurricane Irene this summer.
Some find time to give thanks in spite of adversity and give of themselves to serve others even as the rest of the country enjoys a day off. Military, Law Enforcement, Emergency Services and Medical professionals will spend their days serving and protecting their neighbors.
Many Americans including friends and the children of friends serve overseas in harm’s way as members of the U.S. Military and other Federal agencies fighting in Afghanistan or Iraq or deployed in support of those operations. I spent Thanksgiving 2007 in Iraq and have lost count of the number of Thanksgiving days that I have spent away from my wife and my family while serving in the military. Thankfully I will be able to drive up to see my wife on Thanksgiving morning. I don’t know what our plans are yet but we will be together and that is something to be thankful for.
Personally I am thankful for much this year. We have survived the first year of a three year tour with me as a geographic bachelor. I was promoted to the rank of Commander in the Navy, something that in these times is a blessing. I work in a great place with great people doing what I like to do and what I am called to do. My family both Judy as well as my mom, brother and his family are doing relatively well.
I still struggle with some of the effects of PTSD but I am doing better. I do still struggle especially with sleep issues but because I have been through the PTSD experience I am better able to understand and empathize with those that suffer from it and all the related forms of combat stress, depression, anxiety and panic disorders.
I have a tremendous amount to be thankful for this year and I am very thankful to those that read this website and those that comment on various articles. I am blessed to have all of you as part of my life.
My hope for you is that this Thanksgiving will be a time of joy for you and those that you love. For those that have much please remember those in need, for those in harm’s way overseas we pray for your safe return and for those that serve at home today to protect life and health and look to the needs of the less fortunate may God bless you for your work.
Peace and blessings. Happy Thanksgiving!
Padre Steve+
The Inglorius Padre Steve's World 